Orthodontic brackets



Jan. 19, 1960 M. WALLSHEZIN ORTHODONTIC BRA CKETS Filed Jan. 6, 1959 FIGJ FIGJI IZZLZZ:

FIG.|

" FIG.2

INVENTOR, MELVIN WALLSHEIN} FIG.6

ATTOR E United States Patent i 2,921,371 ORTHODONTIC BRACKETS Melvin Wallshein, Brooklyn, NY. Application January 6, 1959, Serial No. 785,204

14 Claims. (Cl. 32-14 This invention relates to improved orthodontic brackets for supporting an arch wire.

An object of this invention is to provide novel and improved constructions for orthodontic brackets of the type mentioned, on which the arch wire is easily mounted by lateral movement and then held in place against detachment from the bracket, affording said arch wire freedom for lengthwise movement.

Essentially, each bracket is on -a tubular band fitted tightly on and around a tooth, and comprises a'substantially horizontally positioned lengthwise-slitted tubular element into which the arch wire is set by lateral movement through said slit and means serving as an openable closure for said slit.

Another object thereof is to provide novel and improved brackets of the kind set forth, which accommodate and hold wires of diiferent sizes.

A further object of this invention is to provide novel and improved orthodontic brackets of the character mentioned, in which the slit closure means is automatically operated to close the slit by the arch wires entering "movement and to expose the slit by the arch wires exit movement only when said wire is manipulated by the dentist.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel and improved orthodontic brackets of the kind described, which require no separate tying elements to hold the arch wire on the bracket, but by simple manipulation, the arch wire is locked against undue lateral movement in a unitary structure.

A further object thereof is to provide novel and improved orthodontic brackets having the attributes set forth, which are simple in construction, easy to manufacture, reasonable in cost, easy and convenient to use and efficient in carrying out the purposes for which they are designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosure proceeds.

It may here be indicated that the mentioned closure means is another lengthwise-slitted tubular element, positioned so that one tubular element is within the other and in turnable or other movable relation, with one of said tubular elements fixed to the mentioned band. The lengthwise slits of the associated tubular elements may be parallel, and for automatic locking, said slits are in angular relation where said tubular elements are in axially turnable relation.-

A more detailed description of various embodiments of this invention will now be set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Fig. l is a fragmentary side view of a patients upper teeth about which is an orthodontic arch wire shown mounted on brackets embodying teachings of this invention; each bracket being respectively carried on a conventional band which tightly encircles a tooth. The anchor means for the wire ends is not shown.

ice

Fig. 2 is a front view of a tubular band equipped with one form of bracket taught herein, which comprises es sentially two tubular elements, one within the other and in turnable relation. The inner tubular element being here secured to said band, it is the other tubular element which is turnable. This view shows the bracket in open condition ready to receive the arch wire.

Fig.3 is a rear view showing in perspective, the inner tubular element which is part of the bracket shown in Fig. 2'.

Fig. 4 is a rear view showing in perspective, the outer tubular element included in said embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tubular band on which the bracket is carried. It is this band that is tightly fitted on a tooth. v

Fig. 6 is a more enlarged section taken at lines 6-6 in Fig. 2; all other views in the drawing, except Fig. 1, being drawn to an enlarged scale.

Fig. 7 is a front view of a tubular band equipped with a modified form of bracket, shown in open condition.

tubular element included in. the embodiment shown in the Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a section like Fig. 6 of another modified form of bracket embodying teachings of this invention.

Fig. 11 is a front view of the assembled inner and outer tubular elements included in the embodiment shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a front view of the article shown in Fig. 11, but of slightly modified form.

In the drawing, one preferred bracket construction is indicated generally by the numeral 15. It consists of a pair of turnably fitted tubular elements 16 and 17, each being slitted their full length, the slits being parallel to the common axis of said tubular elements. The slit in the inner tubular element 16 is indicated by the numeral 18, and that in the outer tube 17, by the numeral 19;. In this embodiment, the inner tubular element is secured to the band 20. One way to do this is to have a slot 21 in the outer tubular element 17, through which 'is a prong 22 struck from the metal of the band 20 and suitably secured as by soldering, in the aperture 23 in the rear of the inner tubular element 16. The slot 21' is of suitable size to permit the outer tubular element 17 to be turned so that the slits 18 and 19 can be brought into register and out of register. The width of these slits should be sufiicient to admit the arch wire 24 by lateral movement thereinto and the internal diameter of the inner tube is preferably just a little larger than is necessary to hold the arch wire 24, so that the possible lateral movement of said Wire in said inner tubular element 16 is a minimum. The turning fit of the tubular elements 16, 17 should not be loose to make this fitting most It is evident that when the slits 18, 19 are set in register, the arch wire 24 can be entered into the inner tubular member 16, and then upon turning the outer tubular element 17 on the inner one, said slits are out of register and the arch wire is retained within and against removal from the inner tubular element 16. No tie Wires are required to hold the arch wire to the bracket 15. Said arch Wire is of course free for movement along its length.

To have automatic locking, the construction illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is employed. Here, the band 20 and the inner tube 16 attached thereto are as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. The outer tubular element 26 has the lengthwise slit 27 which is in angular relation with the slit 18 of the inner tubular element 16. In Fig. 7, the right hand portions of the slits 18 and 27 are in register ready to admit an arch wire therethrough.

. 3 A As said wire is laid in such'slits, it will automatically turn the outer tubular element 26 and simultaneously close the slit 18 as shown in Fig. 8. The dentist may now manually turn the outer tubular element 26 a bit downwardly forwardly to close the slit 18 in its entirety. To remove the arch wire 24 so mounted, the outer tubular element 26 is turned forwardly upwardly to its position shown in Fig. 8 so that the left ends of the slits 18, '27 are in register. Now, merely moving the wire 24 laterally away from the tooth, the same will be removed from the bracket 15, because the outer tubular element 26 will automatically move from its position shown in Fig. 8 back to its position shown in Fig. 7. The development or blank of the tube 26 is shown in Fig. 9.

In the embodiments of this invention shown in Figs. 10-12, the inner tube 28 which is fixed to the band 20, has an outer tube 29 thereon which is slidable laterally, here, up and then down. moved up, the lengthwiseslits 30, 31 are made to register so that the arch wire can be inserted through such slits into the inner tube 28. When the outer tube 29 is then moved downwardly, said slits will be out of register and the arch wire will be maintained in the bracket The tubes here are preferably of rectangular cross section and the outer one is of proper dimension to permit its up and down movement in laterally sliding fit. To

attain automatic locking, the slits are not made parallel,

as in Fig. 11, but inangular relation as shown in Fig. 12; the slit 31 being slanted.

In all the embodiments, it is readily understood 'without further illustration, that the lengthwise slits need not be straight, so long that during the movement of the movable member, every part of its slit will register with some part of the slit in the fixed tubular member.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein disclosed. desired that the embodiments shown herein shall be deemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall cover all patentable novelty herein set forth; reference being had to the following claims rather than to specific description herein to indicate the scope of this invention.

I claim: 1.'-In anarticle for supporting an orthodontic. arch wire, a mounting member adapted to be mounted on a tooth and a bracket positioned on said mounting member, comprising a pair of substantially horizontal tubular elements, one fitted within the other for relative move- When the outer tube 29 is It is therefore intended and ment other than longitudinally and each of said tubular elements'having a slit along its entire length; one of said elements being fixed to said mounting member whereupon movement of the other element, every part of the slit therein will register with a part of the slit in the fixed element.

2. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein said slits are parallel. I

3. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein said slits are non-parallel.

4. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the slit in the fixed element is straight.

5. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein both slits are straight. 1

6. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein both slits are straight and in angular relation.

7. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein both slits are straight and in angular relation and the slit in the fixed element is horizontal. I

8. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the movable element is axially rotatable.

9. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the inner element is fixed and the outer element is axially rotatable.

10. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the movable element is laterally movable.

11. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the movable element has an up and down movement and when in its downward position, will obstruct the slit in the fixed element.

12. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the movable element is in the outer one and is axially rotatable; said movable element having an opening in the rear thereof and including a prong extending from the mounting member through said opening; the inner element being secured to said prong.

13. An article as defined in claim 1, wherein the movableelement is the outer one and is movable up and down on the inner element; said movable element having an opening in the rear thereof and including a prong extending from the mounting member through said opening; the inner element being secured to said prong; said movable element when in its downward position, will obstruct the slit in the fixed element.

14. An article as defined in claim 13, wherein the tubular elements are of rectangular cross-section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,549,528 Russell Apr. 17, 1951 

